Agras T70P vs Thorvald
Two spraying machines, one verified table. Every figure below is sourced and dated; vendor claims are labelled and kept apart from independent results.
DJI's 70 kg-payload spray-spread-lift drone (global launch July 2025) — 70 L spray tank, 100 L spread hopper, dual millimetre-wave radar and tri-vision obstacle sensing.
Best for: Contractors and larger growers who outgrew the T50 and want one aircraft for spraying, spreading and heavy lifting.Norwegian autonomous UV-C robot that replaces fungicide sprays for powdery mildew control — working at night in UK tabletop strawberries (used by 13 leading growers, around 20–30% of the national tabletop crop) and California vineyards, where over 150 Thorvald 3.0 units ran the 2025 season. Delivered as a service rather than a machine sale, with a vineyard-specific model launched for 2026.
Best for: Larger tabletop strawberry and wine-grape operations in Saga's service regions (UK, US) wanting to cut fungicide programmes without buying or operating robots themselves.| Agras T70P Verified 2026-07-16 | Thorvald Verified 2026-07-17 | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Task | Spraying | Spraying |
| Autonomy | AI-assisted | Fully autonomous |
| Country of origin | China | Norway |
| Availability | Available now | Available now |
| EU market | CE-marked | CE-marked |
| Lead time | ~4 wk | Not disclosed |
| Last verified | 2026-07-16 | 2026-07-17 |
| Specifications | ||
| Power source | Swappable battery (DB1580 30 Ah / DB2160 41 Ah, 52 V) | Battery-electric · 48 V Li-Ion 70 Ah (space for a second battery) · charges from a regular outlet |
| Required tractor power | Not applicable | Not required (self-propelled modular platform) |
| Dimensions | 3.20 × 3.52 × 0.96 m unfolded | Modular platform; configuration-dependent, not disclosed |
| Weight | 52–56 kg (dry, by battery) | ~200 kg |
| Min farm size | 5 ha | Not disclosed |
| Productivity | Up to 18 ha/hour (spraying) | Fleet-scale service: ~2,500 acres of US vineyard treated; ~20% of UK tabletop strawberry crop |
| Max speed | 20 m/s | Typically under 5 km/h in operation |
| Sensors | D-RTK 3 AG (0.8 cm) · front + rear millimetre-wave radar · tri-vision system | Autonomous navigation stack; crop-counting cameras (up to 3 million crop counts per robot per night, vendor claim) |
| Price & model | ||
| Price (EUR) | ≈€50,000 | Not disclosed |
| Native price | US$53,999 (US dealer combo) | Not disclosed |
| Business model | Buy via dealer · combos bundle batteries + charger/generator | UV-C treatment as a service — Saga deploys, operates and maintains robot fleets; growers pay for treatment rather than buying machines |
| Ongoing cost | Battery replacement by cycle count; pump/nozzle consumables | Service fee (not published); no grower-side machine ownership |
| Key outcome | ||
| Best verified result | Spray tank payload vs Agras T50 +75% · vendor | Fungicide use for powdery mildew −70–100% pesticide use (vendor claim) · vendor |
| EU context | ||
| CE marking | CE marked (2025) | CE status not published; UV-C units carry light-exposure safety interlocks for night operation |
| Machinery Regulation | UAS regime applies; EASA Open/Specific category rather than Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 alone | Placed on the EU/UK market by Saga Robotics; Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 autonomous-machine provisions apply |
| CAP subsidy | Aerial PPP application restricted under the Sustainable Use Directive — derogations vary by member state | Large pesticide reduction supports EU pesticide-reduction and eco-scheme goals (service currently UK/US/NO, not EU-27) |
"—" means the manufacturer has not disclosed the figure; we never estimate silently. Model either machine's payback with your own numbers on its ROI calculator page.